【2025.10 Update】I recently activated and used my Tello number, so I’ve completely refreshed this post. In particular, I’ve added detailed steps for activating Tello in China and how to use it there. See the article below

Tello Registration

If you’re planning to use Tello, you can sign up with a welcome referral link and get a $10 credit bonus. Use code: P3Q660NV. Or register directly from the link below, and you’ll receive $10 in credit after successful registration and SIM activation.

After activating any number, you’ll see the $10 credited to your account. You can use it the next time you renew a plan or buy a data add-on, and simply choose Tello Dollar at checkout.

About Tello

Tello is a mobile virtual network operator based on the T-Mobile network. It uses the GSM network standard, all plans are prepaid, there is no credit check, plans start at just $5/month, and it offers free international calls to more than 60 countries and regions, including China. It offers strong value and is suitable for long-term use. Below is a brief introduction to Tello’s plans and usage tips.

Using Tello in the U.S.

Plans

Tello plans are based on the number of call minutes and the amount of data you need, with a minimum of $5/month (suitable for keeping the line active cheaply). If you want to use it long term, Tello’s basic plans include:

  • 100 minutes + unlimited texts + 2GB data $11/month
  • 300 minutes + unlimited texts + 2GB data $12/month
  • Unlimited calls and texts + 1GB data $10/month
  • Unlimited calls and texts + 2GB data $14/month
  • Unlimited calls and texts + 4GB data $19/month
  • Unlimited calls and texts + 6GB data $24/month
  • Unlimited calls and texts + 8GB data $29/month
  • Unlimited calls, texts, and data $39/month

Choose the one that fits your needs.

In addition, StackSocial often offers discounted 6-month plans for sale. Purchase link below:

The 6-month plan with unlimited calls and texts + 2GB data costs $49 + tax in total, which works out to about $8 per month. However, this plan is only for new Tello users.

Activation and Use

When you choose a plan and place an order, you’ll get a new number by default. After receiving the SIM card, go to http://tello.com/activate and enter the 9-digit activation code on the back of the card to activate it. If you want to keep your existing number, you’ll need to port it in. Log in and use the Port in submenu to enter the Account number and PIN for the number you want to keep. The porting process usually completes in about 20 minutes. Plans renew automatically every 30 days by default.

eSIM is also supported now. After online activation, you can simply scan the QR code to activate and use it automatically, which is very convenient!

Tello supports free international calls and texts, with support for more than 60 countries and regions, so you can call or text family and friends back home.

Using Tello in China

I recently tested activating Tello service in mainland China, and I’ll walk you through it step by step. The activation approach and steps are different from those in the U.S.

Also, if you’re an overseas user managing U.S. cards, you can join our Knowledge Planet to get more practical info, avoid pitfalls, and learn more about U.S. credit cards and bank accounts

Purchase

Step 1: Register a Tello account using the Tello referral signup link (make sure the referral code is P3Q660NV to get the $10 credit bonus)

Step 2: Choose a plan. Here’s the key point: the minutes and data included in U.S. numbers are for use inside the U.S., while overseas users need the number for calling outside the U.S., receiving texts, and using U.S. data. The cheapest basic option is $5/month, with no data and only 100 minutes of calling (Figure 1). That’s enough, because if you’re not going to the U.S., you won’t be using those features anyway.

Step 3: Enter your payment information and complete the purchase. It will calculate tax based on the address you enter. If you enter a China address, you won’t be charged tax. Overseas users can simply choose eSIM, which is convenient for remote activation. If payment fails, you can choose PayPal; in testing, it went through instantly.

Activation

Step 4: Activate the account. In your account, you can see the eSIM QR code; just scan it with your phone and it will activate automatically. However, for overseas users activating remotely outside the U.S., it’s a bit more complicated. After scanning, the SIM won’t activate right away because you’re not in the U.S. You first need to connect Wi-Fi Calling before activation will work.

Step 5: Activate Wi-Fi Calling. First, go to the Tello website and set your 911 address. The specific link is:

  • After that, you need to turn on a VPN to access the internet outside China (because the Wi-Fi Calling server itself is already blocked), and then enable Wi-Fi Calling in your phone’s SIM settings. After loading for a while, it will turn on.
  • After Wi-Fi Calling is activated, wait a while and the number will activate successfully. With Wi-Fi Calling on, you’ll receive Tello’s activation text message.

Step 6: Activate roaming data. First, go to Tello’s pay as you go section to buy credit, which is used for roaming. Top-ups start at $20. If your basic plan doesn’t expire, this $20 won’t expire either, so you can use it slowly.

  • Turn on roaming on your phone and data roaming on the eSIM card, then turn off Wi-Fi. After that, you should see roaming activated and data activated as well! I set the network selection to automatic directly, and it doesn’t seem to make a difference.
  • You can check the IP geolocation.
  • You can use the data as a hotspot, so your computer can get online without any issues. You can also check the IP purity. A home broadband IP + extremely clean + fewer than 10 contributors is still pretty good.

Pricing

The monthly base plan cannot be waived, because without a base plan, the pay as you go credit will expire. In addition, both calls and text messages can be handled in China via Wi-Fi calling, and it is free. If you need access for unrestricted internet use or a clean IP, you can directly use Tello’s roaming data. The pricing is below, and when calculated it comes out to $10/G, which is still pretty good.

eSIM

Tello now supports eSIM, and you can activate it outside the United States (including China). Note that the Wi-Fi calling signal used by Tello is the same as T-Mobile’s. If you are in China, you need to set DNS (or use a VPN) to activate Wi-Fi calling service; after that, you can use Wi-Fi without a VPN. eSIM support brings a qualitative improvement:

  • Makes activation outside the United States easier (including China, activation on Chinese networks)
  • Makes number port-out easier (it can be used as a low-cost, convenient port-out tool)

Wifi Call

Tello also supports Wi-Fi calling; refer to the official instructions. Note that you need to set up the 911 address first before you can use Wi-Fi calling.

This feature allows you to make calls and send/receive text messages for free when you have a Wi-Fi connection, without using anything from your plan. This is very convenient for people using a Tello number overseas. It’s basically like having a free U.S. number, and you can connect to Wi-Fi directly to make calls to the U.S. and receive verification texts from banks.

Summary

Here is a summary of Tello’s advantages:

  • Tello is suitable for cheap number retention (physical SIM). If you won’t be returning to the U.S. in the short term, it’s still good for keeping your number.
  • It’s also fine if you don’t have high requirements for talk time or data.
  • You can use it to call elderly family members in China who don’t use WeChat.
  • Supports Wi-Fi calling
  • It’s a very cost-effective mobile service to use in China, whether you’re returning long term or short term
  • It’s a great phone service for digital nomads

However, if you want to use and activate it in China, you can only use eSIM, which is a bit troublesome for phones without eSIM. Either buy a phone with eSIM support on Taobao, or use ENC’s base plan + roaming package, which works as well.